Wanted sex offender who changed appearance caught in Belleville

SWANSEA, Il. (KMOV.com) -- A sex offender wanted by Swansea Police has been captured after police said he changed his appearance.

Belleville Police arrested Harlin Haines, 43, after spotting him on a bike path. When officers approached him, they say he took off running. After a short foot pursuit, officers caught Haines and took him to the Swansea Police Department around 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

Officials said Haines did not check in as required for sex offenders every 90 days. They had been looking for him for a week. Haines showed up on a surveillance photo at a Freeburg, Illinois convenience store. In the surveillance video it shows Haines with a shaved head and a shaved beard.

Haines' record includes six felonies and 27 misdemeanors. Swansea Police Chief Mike Arnold said he was worried about what Haines was up to because of his life of crime.